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Overview

Date Established 02/2024
Founder James & Kristina Payne
Industries
Parenting
E-commerce & Retail
Entrepreneurship
Retail
Lifestyle
Business
Website https://uws.playstreetmuseum.com
Press Contact Nana Yaa Ansah

About

Play Street Museum UWS is an engaging and educational neighborhood children's museum with activities for toddlers and children up to 8 years of age. Our neighborhood children’s museum on the Upper West Side transports your young ones to The Town Square where they can explore interactive exhibits based around life in the city. Take a hands-on approach to learning with immersive exhibits for our guests to explore with their families or other Play Street Museum friends. Kiddos will have opportunities to give their friends a check up at the doctor’s office, care for the animals at the pet shop, or prepare to save the day at the fire station. Stop by the grocery store and let your toddler set up shop while your big kids let their imaginations wander at the giant interactive train table. All are welcome to join together and make new friends during one of our reserved playtime sessions or have the place all to themselves by booking the perfect birthday party, event, or field trip.

Founding Story

In April 2022, during our inaugural visit to Texas, we were caught off guard by the scorching 95-degree heat of early spring. With our energetic 16-month-old son in tow, we were eager to explore but wary of subjecting him to the sweltering pavement on a neighborhood stroll. Fueled by desperation, Kristina turned to the internet in search of nearby activities and stumbled upon the gem known as "Play Street Museum," just a short 7-minute drive away.


Our time at Play Street proved to be nothing short of extraordinary, prompting us to wonder why such a haven didn't exist in our beloved NYC. As urban parents, we found ourselves grappling with the dearth of accessible, modern children's museums in the city – either too far, antiquated, or inconveniently scheduled. Less than a week later, we found ourselves seated across from the Play Street Museum World Wide Headquarters, eager to explore franchising opportunities. Even before that meeting, we had already taken the proactive step of establishing our LLC. Motivated by our son's enthusiasm and driven by a desire to provide all NYC children with a similar enriching experience, we knew we were onto something profound. We recognized ourselves as the solution to the "play-space deserts" plaguing New York City.


For us, Play Street Museum Upper West Side transcends mere business; it's an embodiment of a vital aspect of our marital vision statement. In committing to this venture, we've essentially signed up for 90-100 hour workweeks – a staggering load, especially considering Kristina's continued dedication to her part-time nursing role. Yet, we view Play Street as an extension of our mission to spread love and joy, influencing our world one child at a time.






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